IB 07-51: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Shallow-Water Species by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, June 4, 2007, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

The species and species groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates and "other species." This closure does not apply to fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This closure also does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central GOA.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the 2007 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(d)(7)(i).

After the effective date of this closure, the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

This information bulletin only provides notice of a regulatory change. For the purposes of complying with the regulatory change, you are advised to see the actual text of the regulation in the Code of Federal Regulations.